A BACK-to-school programme organised by the Subang Jaya assemblyman’s office sees two activities held simultaneously – a presentation of cash aid to schoolchildren and cervical cancer screenings for their mothers or female guardians.
“Today’s community programme offers a holistic approach that brings together financial assistance and health services under one roof,” said Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng at the event.
“Having a combined programme means the mothers do not have to make another trip for a health check-up.”
She said each of the 347 student beneficiaries would receive RM100 in cash aid for their schooling expenses – 294 sponsored by Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI Selangor) and 53 more by corporate company Universal Therapeutics.
Rose Foundation set up a counter to offer free cervical cancer screening through its human papillomavirus (HPV) (polymerase chain reaction) PCR self-sampling test, with the results sent to the women several weeks later via their mobile phones.
“Mydin hypermarket donated RM50 vouchers to the first 100 women to undergo the screening.
“It’s a gesture to encourage the women to overcome their fear of taking the test,” said Ng.
The event, held at Main Place Mall in USJ21, was also attended by Universal Therapeutics chief executive officer Datuk Seri Samuel Chai, Rose Foundation community development manager Janice See, Main Place Mall management director Woo May Foong and Subang Jaya City councillor Christopher Joseph.
Chai said this year was the third time the firm supported Ng’s back-to-school programme.
“Her values of taking care of the community are in sync with the company’s founding principles.
“We believe in what she’s doing for the public, so we are happy to support this initiative.”
See said that early screening was important as “cervical cancer is a disease that could be prevented through that method.”
“The World Health Organisation has set a target to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030 through a set of strategies,” she said.
“And hopefully, Malaysia can be one of the first countries in South-East Asia to achieve it,” she added.
For those who test positive, See said the foundation provided continued care if further treatment was required.
Goodyear Court 8 resident Hernah Suziyanti found the HPV self-sampling test easy to carry out.
“It’s better to do so in the comfort of my own home, rather than in a clinic where I will be surrounded by medical staff I don’t know,” said the housewife.
“I intend to spread the word about this test to my mother and female cousins, and the importance of having this test done every five to 10 years.”
Hernah’s two children Putra Farrel Rafael Shaiful Bachrey, 14, and Aurellia Elldora Shaiful Bachrey, seven, each received the RM100 school aid.
“My daughter is a first-time recipient, while my son got it for the second time.
“I will use the money to get new stationery and exercise books for them.
“Aurellia is particularly excited about getting new supplies, since this is her first year at school,” said Hernah.
USJ8 resident and housewife Fadlina Moctader said her family was a three-time recipient of the school aid.
“I have three children, but the programme is capped at two children per family, so my youngest two daughters will get the aid this time.
“The money will be used to buy clothes for extracurricular and physical education activities,” she said.
Fadlina is grateful for the schooling aid, including that from the Federal Government, as it helps towards reducing her family’s household expenses.
Her daughters, Sharifah Fadiana Umaziah Wan Umar, 11, and Sharifah Hania Fatinah Wan Umar, 10, are both students at SK Seafield 3, Subang Jaya.
Fadlina had opted out of the cervical cancer screening at the Subang Jaya event as she already had hers done at a health clinic.
